29 September 2021

As Congressional Deadlines Loom, TFG Experts Hold Federal Grants and Earmark Workshops

The Ferguson Group will hold presentations to share best practices for securing federal grant and earmark funding at the ICMA 2021 Conference in Portland, Oregon this weekend.

PORTLAND, OR. — As Congress stares down several key federal funding deadlines and looming debates on infrastructure, The Ferguson Group (TFG) will hold two highly interactive workshops on federal grants and earmarks at the 2021 International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon. Participants will learn the strategies TFG experts have perfected to secure over $890 million in federal grant funding for clients since 2015.

“Over the past year, local governments have had the opportunity to boost investments in priority projects with federal emergency resources targeting COVID-19 pandemic relief and recovery, but it’s only temporary,” said TFG CEO, Roger Gwinn. “Although critical, this money is limited in scope and will soon run out. Communities need sustainable funding sources for major long-term projects. That’s where we come in.”

TFG, a leading lobbying and consulting firm, has specialized in securing federal funding for government, public agency, private industry, and special district interests in Washington, DC since 1982. Importantly, TFG staff have deep legislative and regulatory expertise in several Administration and congressional priorities such as infrastructure, disaster recovery, and broadband. For example, the firm was a key architect of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) of 2014, a federal credit program administered by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a wide range of water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

The firm’s success on behalf of its clients is in part due to the staff’s wealth of experience with individuals joining the firm from the US Senate and House of Representatives, the Department of Interior, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Transportation, and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), among others.

 

Join the Conversation

What:     Winning Federal Grants: Steps to Success

Who:      Jennifer Imo, Managing Partner of Client Services

                Heidi Schott, Director of Grant Services

Where:  ICMA 2021 Annual Conference, Portland, OR. (in-person and online)

When:   Saturday, October 2, 2021; 8:00AM PST

Register: ICMA 2021 Annual Conference

 

What:     Demystifying Earmarks: Secure Federal Grant Funding for Your Community

Who:      Roger Gwinn, CEO

Jennifer Imo, Managing Partner of Client Services

Where:  ICMA 2021 Annual Conference, Portland, OR. (in-person and online)

When:   Sunday, October 3, 2021; 8:00AM PST

Register: ICMA 2021 Annual Conference

 

Documents to download

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Overview

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) serves as the primary vehicle through which Congress authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and establishes policy frameworks for water resource development nationwide. Enacted on a biennial schedule, WRDAs provide congressional authorization for USACE to conduct feasibility studies, construct flood risk reduction projects, improve navigation infrastructure, restore aquatic ecosystems, and assist with environmental infrastructure development.
Since the enactment of WRDA 1986, Congress has used these omnibus authorization bills to both create new USACE authorities and refine existing programs based on evolving national priorities and lessons learned from program implementation. Recent WRDAs have addressed critical issues including drought resilience, water supply development, infrastructure modernization, and support for economically disadvantaged communities.
The most recent legislation, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024, P.L. 118-272), continued Congress's bipartisan commitment to strengthening America's water infrastructure by authorizing new construction projects, modifying existing authorities, and establishing updated policy guidance for USACE operations. WRDA 2024 also authorized five new regional environmental infrastructure programs, each incorporating flexible delivery mechanisms that allow federal assistance to be provided through grants or reimbursements to nonfederal sponsors.
Authorization through WRDA is typically a prerequisite for USACE activities to receive federal appropriations through the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations process. This two-step framework—authorization followed by appropriation—ensures congressional oversight of both program scope and funding levels.
Section 219 of WRDA 1992, as amended, represents one of USACE's most geographically expansive environmental infrastructure assistance authorities. Originally enacted to authorize design assistance for 18 specific projects, Section 219 has been amended by subsequent Congresses to authorize both design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure in hundreds of municipalities, counties, and states across the nation.
The Congressional Research Service has identified over 600 environmental infrastructure assistance authorities with cumulative authorizations of appropriations totaling approximately $18.1 billion. Section 219 authorities constitute the majority of these geographically specific project authorizations, covering at least 46 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories.
Section 219 projects address critical community needs including wastewater treatment facilities, water supply and distribution systems, stormwater management infrastructure, surface water protection, and environmental restoration. These projects support public health, environmental quality, and economic development in communities that have secured congressional authorization for USACE assistance.
Congress has continued to expand Section 219 in recent legislation. WRDA 2022 added 132 new Section 219 authorities and amended 24 existing authorities. WRDA 2024 authorized an additional 193 new Section 219 authorities and amended 53 existing authorities, providing a combined $5.4 billion increase in authorization of appropriations. WRDA 2024 also established a seven-year pilot program to increase the federal cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent for Section 219 projects benefiting economically disadvantaged communities.
Unlike traditional USACE water resource projects, Section 219 assistance does not require completion of the agency's standard feasibility study process. However, projects receiving Section 219 assistance must comply with applicable federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act.
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